Heat pump system for a vehicle

Abstract

A heat pump system for a vehicle is provided that is capable of cooling or heating the interior of the vehicle by utilizing a single heat exchanger and increasing the flow rate of refrigerant using a gas injection device configured to selectively operate in at least one selected mode for air conditioning of the interior of the vehicle, thereby improving cooling and heating performance. The heat pump system includes a compressor, a control valve, a first heat exchanger, a first expansion valve, an in-vehicle heat exchanger, a second expansion valve, a second heat exchanger, a connection line, a cooler, a third expansion valve, and a gas injection device, wherein the flow rate of refrigerant is controlled according to at least one mode for adjusting the temperature of the interior of the vehicle or for adjusting the temperature of a heating element.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and benefit to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0181010, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on December 6, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a heat pump system for vehicles, and more particularly, to a heat pump system for vehicles that can improve cooling and heating performance by employing a gas injection device that operates selectively in a selected vehicle interior air conditioning mode, and to cool or heat the vehicle interior by using a single heat exchanger. Background Technology

[0004] Air conditioning systems for vehicles include air conditioning units that circulate refrigerant to heat or cool the vehicle interior.

[0005] Regardless of changes in external temperature, the air conditioning unit maintains a suitable temperature inside the vehicle to create a comfortable interior environment. The air conditioning unit is configured such that, during the process of the refrigerant discharged by the compressor circulating back to the compressor through the condenser, receiver-drier, expansion valve, and evaporator, heat exchange occurs through the condenser and evaporator, thereby heating or cooling the interior of the vehicle.

[0006] In other words, in summer cooling mode, the air conditioning unit condenses the high-temperature, high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor through the condenser, allowing the refrigerant to pass through the receiver-dryer and expansion valve, and then evaporate in the evaporator, thereby reducing the temperature and humidity inside the vehicle.

[0007] With increasing attention to energy efficiency and environmental pollution, there is a need to develop environmentally friendly vehicles that can largely replace internal combustion engine vehicles. These environmentally friendly vehicles are divided into electric vehicles that use fuel cells or electricity as a power source, and hybrid vehicles that use engines and batteries.

[0008] Among these environmentally friendly vehicles, electric or hybrid vehicles have different air conditioning systems than ordinary vehicles. They do not use a separate heater; the air conditioning system used in these environmentally friendly vehicles is called a heat pump system.

[0009] Electric vehicles powered by fuel cells generate propulsion by converting the chemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen into electrical energy. During this process, the chemical reaction within the fuel cell produces heat. Therefore, to ensure the performance of the fuel cell, it is necessary to effectively remove the generated heat.

[0010] Furthermore, hybrid vehicles generate power by using electricity provided by the aforementioned fuel cell or battery to drive an electric motor, combined with an engine that runs on conventional fuels such as gasoline. Therefore, to ensure the performance of the electric motor, the heat generated by the fuel cell or battery and the electric motor must be effectively removed.

[0011] Therefore, in hybrid or electric vehicles according to the prior art, the cooling device, heat pump system and battery cooling system should be configured as independent closed loops to prevent the motor, electronic components and the battery containing the fuel cell from generating heat.

[0012] Therefore, the size and weight of the cooling module located at the front of the vehicle increase, and the layout of the connecting pipes supplying refrigerant and coolant to the heat pump system, cooling device and battery cooling system in the engine compartment becomes complicated.

[0013] In addition, to achieve optimal battery performance, a separate battery cooling system is provided to heat or cool the battery according to the vehicle's condition. This system uses multiple valves to selectively interconnect the connecting pipes, so the noise and vibration generated by the frequent opening and closing of these valves may be transmitted into the vehicle's interior, thereby reducing the vehicle's ride comfort.

[0014] In addition, there are certain drawbacks when heating the interior of a vehicle: insufficient heat source leads to deterioration of heating performance, the use of electric heaters leads to increased power consumption, and the compressor's power consumption increases.

[0015] In addition, traditional heat pump systems have disadvantages such as increased manufacturing costs and overall weight, because the cooling and heating inside the vehicle require separate heat exchangers, which leads to an increase in the number of parts.

[0016] The information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancing the understanding of the background of the present invention, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The present invention aims to provide a heat pump system for vehicles that can improve cooling and heating performance by utilizing a single heat exchanger to cool or heat the vehicle interior and by employing a gas injection device configured to selectively operate in at least one selected mode for air conditioning of the vehicle interior.

[0018] A heat pump system for a vehicle includes: a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant; and a control valve connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line. The heat pump system further includes: a first heat exchanger connected to the control valve via a refrigerant line and configured to selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant. The heat pump system also includes: a first expansion valve connected to the first heat exchanger via a refrigerant line. The heat pump system further includes: an in-vehicle heat exchanger connected to the first expansion valve and the control valve via a refrigerant line and configured to selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant. The heat pump system also includes: a second expansion valve disposed on the refrigerant line between the first heat exchanger and the first expansion valve. The heat pump system further includes: a second heat exchanger connected to refrigerant lines connecting the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve, and a refrigerant line connecting a control valve to the compressor at the upstream end of the compressor. The heat pump system also includes: a connecting line, the first end of which is connected to the refrigerant line at the upstream end of the compressor, and the second end of which is connected to the refrigerant line between the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve. The heat pump system further includes: a cooler disposed on the connecting line and configured to regulate the coolant temperature by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced via the connecting line and the coolant. The heat pump system further includes: a third expansion valve disposed on the connecting line at the upstream end of the cooler. The heat pump system further includes: a gas injection device disposed on the refrigerant line between the first expansion valve and the second heat exchanger, configured to selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow, or to allow the expanded refrigerant supplied from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via the first expansion valve to flow, and selectively supply a portion of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line. The refrigerant flow rate is controlled based on at least one mode of a heat pump system used to regulate the interior temperature or the temperature of heating elements.

[0019] The gas injection device may include: a gas-liquid separator configured to separate refrigerant into gaseous and liquid refrigerant, and selectively discharge the separated refrigerant. The gas injection device may also include: a fourth expansion valve disposed on a refrigerant line between a second heat exchanger and a second end of a connecting line. The gas injection device may further include: a first line, with a first end connected to the fourth expansion valve and a second end connected to a refrigerant line between the fourth expansion valve and the second end of the connecting line, and the gas-liquid separator disposed on the first line. The gas injection device may further include: a second line, with a first end connected to the gas-liquid separator and a second end connected to a compressor; and a third line, with a first end connected to the first expansion valve and a second end connected to the first line between the fourth expansion valve and the gas-liquid separator.

[0020] When the vehicle interior is in a cooling or heating state, the fourth expansion valve or the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant and supplies the expanded refrigerant. The gas-liquid separator can operate and is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the second pipeline to increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

[0021] When the vehicle interior is heated, the third pipeline can be opened by the first expansion valve, allowing refrigerant supplied from the vehicle's heat exchanger to be introduced.

[0022] At least one mode may include: a first mode for cooling the vehicle interior, wherein the gas injection device operates; a second mode for heating the vehicle interior while recovering ambient air heat, wherein the gas injection device operates; a third mode for heating the vehicle interior while recovering waste heat from the heating element, wherein the gas injection device operates; and a fourth mode for heating the vehicle interior while recovering ambient air heat and waste heat from the heating element, wherein the gas injection device operates.

[0023] In the first mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the fourth expansion valve can be opened by a control valve and a second expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the first line can be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the first expansion valve, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the control valve can be opened by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor can be opened by the control valve. The first line can be opened by the fourth expansion valve; the second line can be opened; the third line can be closed by the first expansion valve. The first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator via the first line and the refrigerant line, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the in-vehicle heat exchanger. The second expansion valve allows refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to flow to the second heat exchanger without expansion. The fourth expansion valve allows the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to expand, and then supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator via the first line. The gas-liquid separator can supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor via the open second line, and discharge liquid refrigerant to the first expansion valve via the first line and the refrigerant line.

[0024] The control valve can be configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the compressor via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the first heat exchanger; and to allow refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

[0025] When cooling of the heating element is required in the first mode, the connecting line can be opened by the third expansion valve; and the third expansion valve can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler.

[0026] In the second mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve can be opened by a control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the first expansion valve to the second end of the first line can be closed by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the fourth expansion valve can be opened by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, the first heat exchanger, and the control valve can be opened by the control valve and the second expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor can be opened by the control valve. The connecting line can be closed by the third expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third line can be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the second end of the third line to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first line connecting the second end of the first line to the gas-liquid separator, can be opened. The second line can be opened. The third line can be opened by the first expansion valve. The first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, allowing the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line. The second expansion valve allows refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion. The third expansion valve can be deactivated. The fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator via an open portion of the first line and the refrigerant line, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line. The gas-liquid separator can supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor via the open second line, and discharge liquid refrigerant to the fourth expansion valve via a portion of the first line and the refrigerant line.

[0027] The control valve can be configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the compressor via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger; and to allow refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

[0028] In the third mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve can be opened by a control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the first expansion valve to the second end of the connecting line can be closed by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the control valve via the first heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, the second heat exchanger, and the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the first line can be closed by a control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor can be closed by a control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the second end of the connecting line can be opened. The connecting line can be opened by a third expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third line can be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the second end of the third line to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first line connecting the second end of the first line to the gas-liquid separator, can be opened. The second line can be opened, and the third line can be opened by the first expansion valve. The first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, allowing the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line. The second and fourth expansion valves are inactive. The third expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced via the connecting line and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler. The gas-liquid separator supplies gaseous refrigerant to the compressor via the open second line and discharges liquid refrigerant to the third expansion valve via a portion of the first line, a portion of the refrigerant line, and the connecting line.

[0029] The control valve can be configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the compressor via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the vehicle's heat exchanger.

[0030] In the fourth mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve can be opened by a control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the first expansion valve to the second end of the connecting line can be closed by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the fourth expansion valve can be opened by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, the first heat exchanger, and the control valve can be opened by the control valve and the second expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the second end of the connecting line can be opened. A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor is opened by the control valve. The connecting line can be opened by the third expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third line can be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first line connecting the second end of the third line to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first line connecting the second end of the first line to the gas-liquid separator, can be opened. The second pipeline is openable, and the third pipeline is openable via the first expansion valve. The first expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle's heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipeline, allowing the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third pipeline. The second expansion valve allows refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipeline to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion. The third expansion valve expands the refrigerant introduced via the connecting pipeline and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the cooler. The fourth expansion valve expands the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator via the open portion of the first pipeline and the refrigerant pipeline, and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipeline. The gas-liquid separator can supply gaseous refrigerant to the compressor via the open second pipeline, and discharges liquid refrigerant to the third and fourth expansion valves via a portion of the first pipeline, a portion of the refrigerant pipeline, and the connecting pipeline.

[0031] The control valve can be configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the compressor via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger; and to allow refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

[0032] The first heat exchanger may be configured to: condense the supplied refrigerant in a first mode; and evaporate the supplied refrigerant in a second and fourth mode.

[0033] The in-vehicle heat exchanger can be configured to: evaporate the supplied refrigerant in a first mode; and condense the supplied refrigerant in a second, third, and fourth mode.

[0034] The first and fourth expansion valves are three-way electronic expansion valves that operate selectively in at least one mode and are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow rate of the supplied refrigerant. The second and third expansion valves are two-way electronic expansion valves that operate selectively in at least one mode and are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow rate of the supplied refrigerant.

[0035] The first heat exchanger and the in-vehicle heat exchanger are configured to selectively condense or evaporate the introduced refrigerant in at least one mode.

[0036] The second heat exchanger is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger and the gas injection device to exchange heat with refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the cooler.

[0037] The cooler can be connected to the heating element via a coolant line that circulates coolant; when it is necessary to cool the heating element or when it is necessary to recover waste heat from the heating element, the coolant line is configured to open to connect the heating element and the cooler.

[0038] As described above, the heat pump system for vehicles according to the embodiments can reduce the number of components by using a single heat exchanger that selectively introduces high-temperature or low-temperature refrigerant to cool or heat the vehicle interior.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the present invention, cooling and heating performance can be improved by employing a gas injection device configured to selectively operate in at least one selected in-vehicle air conditioning mode to increase the flow rate of refrigerant.

[0040] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the system performance can be optimized by using a gas injection device while minimizing the required components, thereby achieving system streamlining and simplification.

[0041] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by streamlining the entire system, manufacturing costs and weight can be reduced, and space utilization of the vehicle or vehicle system can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0042] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0043] Figure 2 This is an operational diagram of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0044] Figure 3 This is an operational diagram of a second mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0045] Figure 4This is an operational diagram of the third mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0046] Figure 5 This is an operational diagram of the fourth mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0048] 2: Coolant lines

[0049] 3: Heating element

[0050] 10: Compressor

[0051] 11: Refrigerant Piping

[0052] 12: Control valve

[0053] 13: First heat exchanger

[0054] 14: First expansion valve

[0055] 15: In-vehicle heat exchanger

[0056] 16: Second expansion valve

[0057] 17: Second heat exchanger

[0058] 18: Liquid reservoir

[0059] 20: Cooler

[0060] 21: Connecting pipelines

[0061] 23: Third expansion valve

[0062] 30: Gas injection device

[0063] 31: Gas-liquid separator

[0064] 32: Fourth expansion valve

[0065] 33: First Pipeline

[0066] 34: Second pipeline

[0067] 35: Third pipeline Detailed Implementation

[0068] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0069] The embodiments and structures shown in the accompanying drawings of this specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and do not cover the full scope of the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalent solutions and variations may exist when applying the technical concepts of this specification.

[0070] To clarify the scope of this invention, parts unrelated to the description may have been omitted. Furthermore, throughout this specification, the same elements or equivalents are represented using the same reference numerals.

[0071] Furthermore, the dimensions and thicknesses of the various components may be arbitrarily represented in the accompanying drawings, but the invention is not necessarily limited thereto. For clarity, the thicknesses of layers, films, panels, regions, etc., may be exaggerated in the drawings.

[0072] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and variations thereof should be understood as containing the said elements but not excluding any other elements.

[0073] Furthermore, terms such as "...unit," "...device," "...section," "...component," and "...building block" used in the specification refer to integrated element units that perform at least one function or operation. When a component, device, unit, module, controller, detector, element, etc., of the present invention is described as having a specific purpose or performing a specific operation or function, the component, device, unit, module, controller, detector, or element should be considered as "configured" to achieve that purpose or perform that operation or function. The present invention describes a controller and data detector for a cooling system. The controller, detector, or other such components may be embodied separately or may include a processor and memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium) as part of the controller or component.

[0074] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat pump system for a vehicle can reduce the number of system components by using a single in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 that selectively introduces high-temperature or low-temperature refrigerant to cool or heat the vehicle interior. By employing a gas injection device 30, the heat pump system can selectively operate in at least one mode selected for the vehicle's interior air conditioning to increase the refrigerant flow, thereby improving the system's cooling and heating performance.

[0076] By using a single cooler 20 (where refrigerant and coolant exchange heat with each other), the heat pump system can efficiently regulate the temperature of the heating element 3. Furthermore, when heating the vehicle interior, the heat pump system can selectively utilize ambient air heat and waste heat from the heating element 3.

[0077] The heating element 3 may include a motor, electronic components, a battery module, etc. The electronic components may include a power control unit (EPCU), a motor, an inverter, an on-board charger (OBC), or an autonomous driving controller, etc.

[0078] The heating element 3 configured in this way can be connected to the cooler 20 via the coolant pipeline 2 through which the coolant circulates.

[0079] When it is necessary to cool the heating element 3 or recover the waste heat of the heating element 3, the coolant line 2 can be opened to connect the heating element 3 and the cooler 20. The coolant can be selectively circulated through the coolant line 2 by the operation of a water pump (not shown), allowing the coolant to flow in the coolant line 2.

[0080] Reference Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present invention, a heat pump system may include: a compressor 10, a control valve 12, a first heat exchanger 13, a first expansion valve 14, an in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, a second expansion valve 16, a second heat exchanger 17, a cooler 20, a connecting pipeline 21, a third expansion valve 23, and a gas injection device 30.

[0081] In the disclosed system, compressor 10 can compress the supplied refrigerant.

[0082] Control valve 12 can be connected to compressor 10 via refrigerant line 11. Control valve 12 can control the flow direction of refrigerant introduced from compressor 10 through refrigerant line 11.

[0083] The control valve 12 can be a four-way valve that can distribute the flow while controlling the flow of refrigerant.

[0084] In one embodiment, the first heat exchanger 13 can be connected to the control valve 12 via a refrigerant line 11. The first heat exchanger 13 can be located at the upstream end, i.e., at the front of the vehicle (relative to the normal driving or moving direction).

[0085] Therefore, in at least one mode of the heat pump system, the first heat exchanger 13 can exchange heat with the ambient air introduced during vehicle operation, causing the introduced refrigerant to condense or evaporate.

[0086] In other words, the first heat exchanger 13 can be an air-cooled heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the introduced refrigerant and the ambient air.

[0087] The first expansion valve 14 can be connected to the first heat exchanger 13 via the refrigerant line 11. The first expansion valve 14 can selectively expand the introduced refrigerant.

[0088] The first expansion valve 14 configured in this way may be a three-way electronic expansion valve that operates selectively in at least one mode of the heat pump system and is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0089] The in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be connected to the first expansion valve 14 and the control valve 12 via refrigerant lines 11. The in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be installed within an HVAC module (not shown).

[0090] Therefore, when cooling the vehicle interior, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can cause the refrigerant to evaporate by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module. The ambient air can be cooled as it passes through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15.

[0091] Ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be cooled to a low temperature as it passes through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving vehicle interior cooling.

[0092] Conversely, when the vehicle interior is heated, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can cause refrigerant condensation by exchanging heat with ambient air introduced into the HVAC module. The ambient air can be warmed as it passes through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15.

[0093] Ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be converted to a high-temperature state when passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and then introduced into the vehicle interior to achieve heating inside the vehicle.

[0094] In other words, in at least one mode of the heat pump system, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can selectively condense or evaporate the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0095] Therefore, the heat pump system can cool or heat the interior of the vehicle by using a single in-vehicle heat exchanger 15.

[0096] In one embodiment, the second expansion valve 16 may be located on or along the refrigerant line 11 between the first heat exchanger 13 and the first expansion valve 14.

[0097] When the vehicle interior is being cooled, the second expansion valve 16 allows the introduced refrigerant to flow without expansion.

[0098] Conversely, when heating the interior of the vehicle, the second expansion valve 16 can expand the introduced refrigerant and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow.

[0099] The second expansion valve 16 configured in this way can be a two-way electronic expansion valve that operates selectively in at least one mode of the heat pump system and is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0100] Based on the flow of refrigerant, the second heat exchanger 17 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 that connects the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 16, and to the refrigerant line 11 that connects the control valve 12 and the compressor 10 upstream of the compressor 10.

[0101] According to at least one mode of the heat pump system, the second heat exchanger 17 can enable refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger 13 and the gas injection device 30 to exchange heat with refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger 13, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 and the cooler 20.

[0102] In this implementation, the upstream end of the compressor 10 can be set based on the refrigerant flow direction.

[0103] Based on the direction of refrigerant flow along refrigerant line 11, the location where refrigerant is introduced into compressor 10 can be defined as the upstream end of compressor 10, and the location where refrigerant is discharged from compressor 10 can be defined as the downstream end of compressor 10.

[0104] The heat pump system may also include a receiver 18. The receiver 18 may be located on the refrigerant line 11 upstream of the compressor 10, i.e., connected to or along the refrigerant line 11.

[0105] The receiver 18 can supply only gaseous refrigerant to the compressor 10, thereby improving the efficiency and durability of the compressor 10.

[0106] In this embodiment, the cooler 20 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 via the connecting line 21. In other words, the cooler 20 can be installed on the connecting line 21, i.e., connected to the connecting line 21 or installed along the connecting line 21.

[0107] The cooler 20 can be connected to the heating element 3 via the coolant line 2. Therefore, the coolant can be selectively circulated through the cooler 20.

[0108] The cooler 20 configured in this way can regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 and the coolant supplied from the heating element 3.

[0109] More specifically, the cooler 20 regulates the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the supplied refrigerant and the coolant. The cooler 20 may be a water-cooled heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the internally introduced refrigerant and the coolant.

[0110] The first end of the connecting line 21 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 upstream of the compressor 10. Furthermore, the second end of the connecting line 21 can be connected to the refrigerant line 11 between the first expansion valve 14 and the second expansion valve 16.

[0111] In other words, the cooler 20 can regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the coolant selectively introduced via the coolant line 2 and the selectively supplied refrigerant. The coolant undergoing heat exchange in the cooler 20 can circulate through the heating element 3 via the coolant line 2.

[0112] A water pump (not shown) may be installed on coolant line 2. In other words, coolant can circulate along coolant line 2 according to the operation of the water pump (not shown).

[0113] Therefore, the coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant in the cooler 20 can be selectively supplied to the heating element 3 to regulate the temperature of the electronic components and battery module contained in the heating element 3.

[0114] In other words, when it is necessary to cool or heat the interior of the vehicle, the coolant can circulate along the coolant line 2, so that the coolant passing through the heating element 3 is supplied to the cooler 20.

[0115] The cooler 20 can recover the waste heat of the heating element 3 while exchanging heat between the coolant introduced through the coolant line 2 and the refrigerant, or it can cool the heating element 3 by using a coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant.

[0116] Based on the refrigerant flow direction, the third expansion valve 23 can be installed on the connecting pipeline 21 at the upstream end of the cooler 20.

[0117] When the heating element 3 is cooled by using a coolant that exchanges heat with the refrigerant, the third expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the cooler 20.

[0118] In other words, when the heating element 3 needs to be cooled, the third expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 to reduce its temperature, and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow into the cooler 20, thereby further reducing the temperature of the refrigerant passing through the interior of the cooler 20.

[0119] Therefore, the coolant whose temperature drops as it passes through the cooler 20 can be introduced into the heating element 3, thereby achieving more efficient cooling.

[0120] The third expansion valve 23 may be a two-way electronic expansion valve that operates selectively in at least one mode of a heat pump system for regulating the interior temperature of a vehicle or for regulating the temperature of the heating element 3, and is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0121] Based on the flow direction of the refrigerant flowing along the connecting pipeline 21 to the cooler 20, the third expansion valve 23 can be located at the upstream end of the cooler 20.

[0122] In other words, the upstream end of the cooler 20 can be set based on the flow direction of the refrigerant.

[0123] Based on the direction of refrigerant flow along the connecting pipeline 21, the location where the refrigerant is introduced into the cooler 20 can be defined as the upstream end of the cooler 20, while the location where the refrigerant is discharged from the cooler 20 can be defined as the downstream end of the cooler 20.

[0124] In addition, the gas injection device 30 may be installed on or along the refrigerant line 11 between the first expansion valve 14 and the second heat exchanger 17.

[0125] The gas injection device 30 can selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger 17 and cause the expanded refrigerant to flow, or cause the expanded refrigerant supplied from the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 through the first expansion valve 14 to flow.

[0126] In addition, the gas injection device 30 can selectively supply a portion of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 to increase the flow rate of refrigerant in or through the refrigerant line 11.

[0127] The gas injection device 30 configured in this way can operate selectively when the vehicle is being cooled or heated.

[0128] The gas injection device 30 may include: a gas-liquid separator 31, a fourth expansion valve 32, a first pipeline 33, a second pipeline 34, and a third pipeline 35.

[0129] The gas-liquid separator 31 can separate the refrigerant introduced into the interior into gaseous refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, and selectively discharge the separated refrigerant.

[0130] The fourth expansion valve 32 can be installed on the refrigerant line 11 between the second heat exchanger 17 and the second end of the connecting line 21.

[0131] When the gas injection device 30 is required to operate, the fourth expansion valve 32 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger 17 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 31 through the first pipeline 33.

[0132] The fourth expansion valve 32 configured in this way can be a three-way electronic expansion valve that operates selectively in at least one mode of the heat pump system and is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow of the supplied refrigerant.

[0133] In one embodiment, the first end of the first pipeline 33 can be connected to the fourth expansion valve 32, and the second end of the first pipeline 33 can be connected to the refrigerant pipeline 11 between the fourth expansion valve 32 and the second end of the connecting pipeline 21.

[0134] The gas-liquid separator 31 configured in this way can be installed on the first pipeline 33, that is, connected to the first pipeline 33 or installed along the first pipeline 33.

[0135] In other words, the first pipeline 33 can selectively supply refrigerant from the second heat exchanger 17 to the gas-liquid separator 31, depending on the operation of the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0136] In addition, the first line 33 allows the refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 31 to flow along the refrigerant line 11.

[0137] In one embodiment, the first end of the second pipeline 34 may be connected to the gas-liquid separator 31, and the second end of the second pipeline 34 may be connected to the compressor 10.

[0138] When the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 31, the second line 34 can supply the gaseous refrigerant discharged from the gas-liquid separator 31 to the compressor 10.

[0139] In other words, the second line 34 can connect the gas-liquid separator 31 and the compressor 10, so that the gaseous refrigerant separated at the gas-liquid separator 31 can be selectively introduced into the compressor 10.

[0140] In addition, the first end of the third pipeline 35 can be connected to the first expansion valve 14, and the second end of the third pipeline 35 can be connected to the first pipeline 33 between the fourth expansion valve 32 and the gas-liquid separator 31.

[0141] When the vehicle interior is heated, the third pipeline 35 can be opened through the first expansion valve 14, allowing refrigerant supplied from the vehicle interior heat exchanger 15 to be introduced.

[0142] The first expansion valve 14 can expand the refrigerant supplied from the vehicle heat exchanger 15 and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third pipeline 35.

[0143] In the gas injection device 30 configured in this way, the gas-liquid separator 31 can operate in at least one mode of the heat pump system when the first expansion valve 14 or the fourth expansion valve 32 expands the refrigerant.

[0144] When the first expansion valve 14 or the fourth expansion valve 32 expands the refrigerant and supplies the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator 31, the gas-liquid separator 31 can supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor 10 through the second pipeline 34, so as to increase the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline 11.

[0145] In such a heat pump system, the flow of refrigerant can be controlled according to at least one mode for regulating the interior temperature of the vehicle or for regulating the temperature of the heating element 3.

[0146] In other words, in at least one mode of the heat pump system, control valve 12, first expansion valve 14, second expansion valve 16, third expansion valve 23 and fourth expansion valve 32 can be selectively operated.

[0147] At least one mode of the heat pump system may include the first mode through the fourth mode.

[0148] In the first mode, the gas injection device 30 can operate and can cool the interior of the vehicle.

[0149] In the second mode, the gas injection device 30 can operate and can recover ambient air heat while heating the vehicle interior.

[0150] In the third mode, the gas injection device 30 can operate and can recover the waste heat of the heating element 3 while heating the interior of the vehicle.

[0151] Furthermore, in the fourth mode, the gas injection device 30 can operate and can recover ambient air heat and waste heat from the heating element 3 while heating the vehicle interior.

[0152] In the first mode, the first heat exchanger 13 can condense the supplied refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air. Conversely, in the second and fourth modes, the first heat exchanger 13 can evaporate the supplied refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air.

[0153] Furthermore, in the first mode, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can cause the supplied refrigerant to evaporate by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module (not shown).

[0154] On the other hand, in the second, third and fourth modes, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can condense the supplied refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module (not shown).

[0155] For reference Figures 2 to 5 The operation and function of each mode of the heat pump system according to the implementation of such configuration are described in detail.

[0156] The following is for reference. Figure 2 The operation of a first mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the gas injection device 30 is operated, is described in detail.

[0157] Figure 2 This is an operation diagram based on a first mode in a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0158] refer to Figure 2In the first mode, in order to cool the interior of the vehicle, the compressor 10 can be operated to allow refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11.

[0159] A portion of the compressor 10 and refrigerant line 11 that connects the first heat exchanger 13, the second heat exchanger 17, and the fourth expansion valve 32 can be opened by the control valve 12 and the second expansion valve 16.

[0160] Furthermore, a portion of the second end of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the fourth expansion valve 32 and the first line 33 can be closed by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0161] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the second end of the first line 33 to the first expansion valve 14, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 and the control valve 12 can be opened by the first expansion valve 14.

[0162] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the control valve 12 to the upstream end of the compressor 10 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0163] The first pipeline 33 can be opened by the fourth expansion valve 32. The second pipeline 34 can be opened. In addition, the third pipeline 35 can be closed by the first expansion valve 14.

[0164] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0165] The control valve 12 allows refrigerant introduced from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the first heat exchanger 13.

[0166] Therefore, the refrigerant supplied to the first heat exchanger 13 can condense by exchanging heat with ambient air. The refrigerant condensed in the first heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the second expansion valve 16 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0167] The second expansion valve 16 allows refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow to the second heat exchanger 17 without expansion.

[0168] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger 17 can be introduced into the fourth expansion valve 32. The fourth expansion valve 32 allows the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger 17 through the refrigerant line 11 to expand, and the expanded refrigerant is supplied to the gas-liquid separator 31 through the first line 33.

[0169] The gas-liquid separator 31 can supply gaseous refrigerant from the refrigerant supplied from the fourth expansion valve 32 through the first line 33 to the compressor 10 through the open second line 34.

[0170] In other words, the gas injection device 30 allows the gaseous refrigerant separated when passing through the gas-liquid separator 31 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the second line 34, thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0171] The gas-liquid separator 31 can discharge the liquid refrigerant in the refrigerant supplied through the first pipeline 33 to the refrigerant pipeline 11 connected to the first expansion valve 14.

[0172] When cooling of the battery module contained in the heating element 3 is required, the connecting line 21 can be opened by the third expansion valve 23.

[0173] Therefore, a portion of the refrigerant flowing from the first line 33 along the refrigerant line 11 can be introduced into the open connecting line 21, and the remaining refrigerant can be introduced into the first expansion valve 14.

[0174] The third expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0175] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 can be cooled when it exchanges heat with the refrigerant supplied from the heating element 3 through the refrigerant line 2.

[0176] The coolant cooled in the cooler 20 can be supplied to the heating element 3 along the coolant line 2. Therefore, the battery module contained in the heating element 3 can be efficiently cooled by the coolant cooled in the cooler 20.

[0177] In other words, the coolant circulating through coolant line 2 can efficiently cool the heating element 3 by repeating the above operation.

[0178] The first expansion valve 14 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the refrigerant line 11 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the vehicle heat exchanger 15.

[0179] Ambient air introduced into the HVAC module can be cooled by the low-temperature refrigerant introduced into the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 as it passes through the heat exchanger 15. The cooled ambient air can then be directly introduced into the vehicle interior to cool the interior.

[0180] The refrigerant passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0181] The control valve 12 allows refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the upstream end of the compressor 10.

[0182] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 through the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0183] In addition, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 20 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 together with the refrigerant discharged from the vehicle interior heat exchanger 15.

[0184] The second heat exchanger 17 allows the refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 and cooler 20 to exchange heat with the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13.

[0185] Therefore, the second heat exchanger 17 can further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant discharged to the fourth expansion valve 32 and improve the degree of condensation.

[0186] Refrigerant from the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 and cooler 20, passing through the refrigerant line 11 and the second heat exchanger 17, can be introduced into the receiver 18. Thereafter, the refrigerant can pass through the receiver 18 to be introduced into the compressor 10.

[0187] In other words, refrigerant passing through the second heat exchanger 17 from the vehicle interior heat exchanger 15 and cooler 20, and refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 via the second pipeline 34, can be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant can be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0188] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the fourth expansion valve 32 by passing sequentially through the first heat exchanger 13 and the second expansion valve 16 along the refrigerant line 11 connected by the control valve 12.

[0189] The heat pump system can then repeat the above process.

[0190] In other words, when the above operation is repeated, the heat pump system can increase the flow rate of refrigerant flowing along refrigerant line 11.

[0191] In addition, the heat pump system can increase the flow rate of refrigerant along the refrigerant line 11, thereby improving the overall cooling performance and efficiency, and efficiently cooling the vehicle interior.

[0192] Meanwhile, the heat pump system can efficiently cool the battery module contained in the heating element 3 by using the low-temperature coolant cooled in the cooler 20.

[0193] The following is for reference. Figure 3 The following describes in detail the operation of a second mode in an embodiment of the present invention, which involves heating the interior of a vehicle while simultaneously recovering heat from the ambient air and operating the gas injection device 30.

[0194] Figure 3This is an operation diagram based on the second mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0195] refer to Figure 3 In the second mode, the compressor 10 can be operated to heat the interior of the vehicle so that refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11.

[0196] A portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the compressor 10, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and the first expansion valve 14 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0197] Furthermore, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the first expansion valve 14 to the second end of the first line 33 can be closed by the first expansion valve 14.

[0198] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the second end of the first line 33 to the fourth expansion valve 32 can be opened by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0199] The fourth expansion valve 32 in the refrigerant line 11 is connected to a portion of the second heat exchanger 17, the second expansion valve 16, the first heat exchanger 13, and the control valve 12, and can be opened by the control valve 12 and the second expansion valve 16.

[0200] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects to the upstream end of the compressor 10 via the control valve 12 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0201] The connecting pipeline 21 can be closed by the third expansion valve 23, and the operation of the third expansion valve 23 can be stopped.

[0202] A portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the fourth expansion valve 32 to the second end of the third pipeline 35 can be closed by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0203] In addition, a portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the third pipeline 35 to the gas-liquid separator 31, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the first pipeline 33 to the gas-liquid separator 31 can be opened.

[0204] The second pipeline 34 can be opened, and the third pipeline 35 can be opened by the first expansion valve 14.

[0205] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0206] The control valve 12 allows refrigerant introduced from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger 15.

[0207] In other words, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected through the control valve 12.

[0208] The in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can condense the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module. The refrigerant supplied to the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can raise the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0209] Therefore, ambient air introduced from the outside can be transformed into a high-temperature state when passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and then introduced into the vehicle interior to achieve heating inside the vehicle.

[0210] The refrigerant condensed in the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be introduced into the first expansion valve 14 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0211] The first expansion valve 14 allows the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant line 11 to expand, and allows the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line 35.

[0212] The refrigerant flowing through the third pipeline 35 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 31 through the open portion of the first pipeline 33.

[0213] The gas-liquid separator 31 can supply gaseous refrigerant from the first expansion valve 14 through a portion of the third line 35 and the first line 33 to the compressor 10 through the open second line 34.

[0214] In other words, the gas injection device 30 allows the gaseous refrigerant separated by the gas-liquid separator 31 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the second line 34, thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0215] The gas-liquid separator 31 can discharge liquid refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant through a portion of the first pipeline 33 to the refrigerant pipeline 11 connected to the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0216] The fourth expansion valve 32 allows the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 through the open portion of the first line 33 and the refrigerant line 11 to expand. Furthermore, the fourth expansion valve 32 allows the expanded refrigerant to be supplied to the second heat exchanger 17 through the refrigerant line 11.

[0217] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger 17 can be introduced into the second expansion valve 16 along the refrigerant line 11. The second expansion valve 16 allows the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger 17 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow to the first heat exchanger 13 without expansion.

[0218] Therefore, the first heat exchanger 13 can cause the refrigerant to evaporate while simultaneously exchanging heat with the ambient air through the second heat exchanger 17 and the second expansion valve 16, which expands in the fourth expansion valve 32. The refrigerant can directly absorb heat from the ambient air.

[0219] Then, the refrigerant that recovers heat from the ambient air as it passes through the first heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0220] The control valve 12 allows refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the upstream end of the compressor 10.

[0221] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 through the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0222] The second heat exchanger 17 allows the refrigerant introduced from the gas injection device 30 to exchange heat with the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13.

[0223] Therefore, the second heat exchanger 17 can further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant discharged to the first heat exchanger 13.

[0224] Refrigerant from the first heat exchanger 13, passing through the refrigerant line 11 and then through the second heat exchanger 17, can be introduced into the receiver 18. Thereafter, the refrigerant can pass through the receiver 18 to be introduced into the compressor 10.

[0225] In other words, the refrigerant passing through the first heat exchanger 13, and the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 through the second pipeline 34, can be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant can be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0226] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the first expansion valve 14 by passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected by the control valve 12.

[0227] The heat pump system can repeat the above process.

[0228] Thus, the heat pump system according to the embodiment can recover ambient air heat from the first heat exchanger 13 when the vehicle is in motion, in conjunction with the operation of the gas injection device 30, thereby improving the overall heating performance and efficiency of the system and the vehicle.

[0229] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while using a single electric heater to a minimum.

[0230] In addition, the gas injection device 30 can increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, thereby optimizing the heating performance.

[0231] The following is for reference. Figure 4 The third mode of operation in this embodiment of the invention is described in detail, which is used to recover waste heat from heating element 3 while heating the interior of the vehicle and the gas injection device 30 is operable.

[0232] Figure 4 This is an operation diagram of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to a third mode, based on an embodiment of the present invention.

[0233] refer to Figure 4 In the third mode, the compressor 10 can be operated to heat the interior of the vehicle, so that refrigerant flows along the refrigerant line 11.

[0234] A portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the compressor 10, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and the first expansion valve 14 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0235] Furthermore, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the first expansion valve 14 to the second end of the connecting line 21 can be closed by the first expansion valve 14.

[0236] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 (via the first heat exchanger 13, the second expansion valve 16, the second heat exchanger 17, and the fourth expansion valve 32) that connects the control valve 12 to the second end of the first line 33 can be closed by the control valve 12.

[0237] The operation of the second expansion valve 16 and the fourth expansion valve 32 can be stopped.

[0238] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the control valve 12 to the upstream end of the compressor 10 can be closed by the control valve 12.

[0239] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the second end of the first line 33 to the second end of the connecting line 21 can be opened.

[0240] The connecting line 21 can be opened by the third expansion valve 23.

[0241] Meanwhile, a portion of the second end of the first pipeline 33 that connects the fourth expansion valve 32 to the third pipeline 35 can be closed by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0242] In addition, a portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the third pipeline 35 to the gas-liquid separator 31, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the first pipeline 33 to the gas-liquid separator 31 can be opened.

[0243] The second pipeline 34 can be opened, and the third pipeline 35 can be opened by the first expansion valve 14.

[0244] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0245] The control valve 12 allows refrigerant introduced from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15.

[0246] In other words, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected through the control valve 12.

[0247] The in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can exchange heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module, causing the introduced refrigerant to condense. The refrigerant supplied to the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can raise the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0248] Therefore, ambient air introduced from the outside can be transformed into a high-temperature state when passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating inside the vehicle.

[0249] The refrigerant condensed in the vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be introduced into the first expansion valve 14 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0250] The first expansion valve 14 allows the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant line 11 to expand, and allows the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line 35.

[0251] The refrigerant flowing through the third pipeline 35 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 31 through the open portion of the first pipeline 33.

[0252] The gas-liquid separator 31 can supply gaseous refrigerant from the first expansion valve 14 through a portion of the third line 35 and the first line 33 to the compressor 10 through the open second line 34.

[0253] In other words, the gas injection device 30 allows the gaseous refrigerant separated when passing through the gas-liquid separator 31 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the second line 34, thereby increasing the flow rate of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11.

[0254] The gas-liquid separator 31 can discharge liquid refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant through a portion of the first line 33 to the refrigerant line 11 connected to the connecting line 21.

[0255] Refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator 31 through a portion of the first line 33 and the refrigerant line 11 into the connecting line 21 can be supplied to the third expansion valve 23.

[0256] The third expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0257] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 can be cooled when it exchanges heat with the coolant supplied from the heating element 3 through the coolant line 2.

[0258] The coolant can raise the temperature by recovering the waste heat of the heating element 3 while cooling the heating element 3. The coolant heated by this operation can be supplied to the cooler 20.

[0259] The cooler 20 can recover waste heat from the heating element 3 while exchanging heat between the coolant supplied from the heating element 3 through the coolant line 2 and the refrigerant.

[0260] In addition, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 20 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 along the connecting line 21 and the refrigerant line 11.

[0261] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger 17 can be introduced into the receiver 18. Thereafter, the refrigerant can pass through the receiver 18 to be introduced into the compressor 10.

[0262] In other words, the refrigerant that has passed from the cooler 20 through the second heat exchanger 17, and the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 through the second pipeline 34, can be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant can be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0263] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the first expansion valve 14 by passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected by the control valve 12.

[0264] The heat pump system can repeat the above process.

[0265] Thus, the heat pump system according to the embodiment can be combined with the operation of the gas injection device 30 to smoothly recover the waste heat of the heating element 3 in the cooler 20, thereby improving the overall heating performance and efficiency of the system and the vehicle.

[0266] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while using a single electric heater to a minimum.

[0267] In addition, the gas injection device 30 can increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, thereby optimizing the heating performance.

[0268] The following is for reference. Figure 5The present invention describes in detail an operation in a fourth mode, in which the gas injection device 30 is operable while simultaneously heating the interior of a vehicle and recovering heat from the ambient air and waste heat from the heating element 3.

[0269] Figure 5 This is an operation diagram based on the fourth mode of a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0270] refer to Figure 5 In order to heat the interior of the vehicle, the compressor 10 can be operated, causing the refrigerant to flow along the refrigerant line 11.

[0271] A portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the compressor 10, the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and the first expansion valve 14 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0272] Furthermore, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the first expansion valve 14 to the second end of the connecting line 21 can be closed by the first expansion valve 14.

[0273] A portion of the refrigerant line 11 connects the second end of the first line 33 to the fourth expansion valve 32, which can be opened by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0274] The fourth expansion valve 32 in the refrigerant line 11 is connected to a portion of the second heat exchanger 17, the second expansion valve 16, the first heat exchanger 13, and the control valve 12, and can be opened by the control valve 12 and the second expansion valve 16.

[0275] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the second end of the first line 33 to the second end of the connecting line 21 can be opened.

[0276] In addition, a portion of the refrigerant line 11 that connects the control valve 12 to the upstream end of the compressor 10 can be opened by the control valve 12.

[0277] The connecting line 21 can be opened by the third expansion valve 23.

[0278] A portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the fourth expansion valve 32 to the second end of the third pipeline 35 can be closed by the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0279] In addition, a portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the third pipeline 35 to the gas-liquid separator 31, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline 33 that connects the second end of the first pipeline 33 to the gas-liquid separator 31 can be opened.

[0280] The second pipeline 34 can be opened, and the third pipeline 35 can be opened by the first expansion valve 14.

[0281] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0282] The control valve 12 allows the refrigerant introduced from the compressor 10 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger 15.

[0283] In other words, the refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected through the control valve 12.

[0284] The in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can condense the introduced refrigerant by exchanging heat with the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module. The refrigerant supplied to the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 can raise the temperature of the ambient air introduced into the HVAC module.

[0285] Therefore, ambient air introduced from the outside can be transformed into a high-temperature state when passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15, and then introduced into the vehicle interior, thereby achieving heating inside the vehicle.

[0286] The refrigerant condensed in the vehicle heat exchanger 15 can be introduced into the first expansion valve 14 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0287] The first expansion valve 14 allows the refrigerant introduced from the vehicle heat exchanger 15 through the refrigerant line 11 to expand, and allows the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line 35.

[0288] The refrigerant flowing through the third pipeline 35 can be introduced into the gas-liquid separator 31 through the open portion of the first pipeline 33.

[0289] The gas-liquid separator 31 can supply gaseous refrigerant from the first expansion valve 14 through a portion of the third line 35 and the first line 33 to the compressor 10 through the open second line 34.

[0290] In other words, the gas injection device 30 allows the gaseous refrigerant separated when passing through the gas-liquid separator 31 to flow back to the compressor 10 through the second line 34, thereby increasing the amount of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11 and the flow rate.

[0291] The gas-liquid separator 31 can discharge liquid refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant through a portion of the first pipeline 33.

[0292] A portion of the refrigerant discharged through the first line 33 may flow through the refrigerant line 11 connected to the fourth expansion valve 32.

[0293] The fourth expansion valve 32 allows a portion of the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 through the open portion of the first line 33 and the refrigerant line 11 to expand.

[0294] In addition, the fourth expansion valve 32 can supply the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger 17 through the refrigerant line 11.

[0295] The refrigerant that has passed through the second heat exchanger 17 can be introduced into the second expansion valve 16 along the refrigerant line 11. The second expansion valve 16 allows the refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger 17 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow to the first heat exchanger 13 without expansion.

[0296] Therefore, the first heat exchanger 13 can cause the refrigerant to evaporate while simultaneously exchanging heat with the ambient air through the second heat exchanger 17 and the second expansion valve 16, which expands in the fourth expansion valve 32. The refrigerant can directly absorb heat from the ambient air.

[0297] The refrigerant that recovers heat from the ambient air as it passes through the first heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the control valve 12 along the refrigerant line 11.

[0298] The control valve 12 allows the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13 through the refrigerant line 11 to flow along the refrigerant line 11 connected to the upstream end of the compressor 10.

[0299] Therefore, the refrigerant discharged from the first heat exchanger 13 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 through the control valve 12 along the refrigerant pipeline 11.

[0300] The remaining portion of the refrigerant discharged through the first pipeline 33 can be discharged to the refrigerant pipeline 11 connected to the connecting pipeline 21.

[0301] In other words, the refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator 31 into the connecting line 21 through a portion of the first line 33 and the refrigerant line 11 can be supplied to the third expansion valve 23.

[0302] The third expansion valve 23 can expand the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line 21 and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler 20.

[0303] The refrigerant introduced into the cooler 20 can be cooled when it exchanges heat with the refrigerant supplied from the heating element 3 through the refrigerant line 2.

[0304] The coolant can be heated by recovering the waste heat of the heating element 3 while cooling it. The cooled coolant obtained through this operation can then be supplied to the cooler 20.

[0305] The cooler 20 can recover waste heat from the heating element 3 while exchanging heat between the coolant supplied from the heating element 3 through the coolant line 2 and the refrigerant.

[0306] In addition, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 20 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 along the connecting line 21 and the refrigerant line 11.

[0307] Therefore, the refrigerant that has passed through the cooler 20 can be introduced into the second heat exchanger 17 together with the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 13.

[0308] The second heat exchanger 17 allows the refrigerant introduced from the gas injection device 30 to exchange heat with the refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger 13 and the cooler 20.

[0309] Therefore, the second heat exchanger 17 can further reduce the temperature of the refrigerant discharged to the first heat exchanger 13.

[0310] Refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 13 and cooler 20 along refrigerant line 11 to the second heat exchanger 17 can be introduced into receiver 18. Thereafter, the refrigerant can pass through receiver 18 to be introduced into compressor 10.

[0311] In other words, the refrigerant that has passed through the first heat exchanger 13 and cooler 20 through the second heat exchanger 17, as well as the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator 31 through the second pipeline 34, can be introduced into the compressor 10. The introduced refrigerant can be compressed by the operation of the compressor 10.

[0312] The refrigerant compressed in the compressor 10 can be supplied to the first expansion valve 14 by passing through the in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 via the refrigerant line 11 connected by the control valve 12.

[0313] The heat pump system can repeat the above process.

[0314] Thus, the heat pump system according to the embodiment can recover ambient air heat from the first heat exchanger 13 and smoothly recover waste heat from the heating element 3 in the cooler 20 when the vehicle is in motion, thereby improving the overall heating performance and efficiency of the system and the vehicle.

[0315] Furthermore, according to the present invention, heating efficiency and performance can be improved while using a single electric heater to a minimum.

[0316] In addition, the gas injection device 30 can increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line 11, thereby optimizing the heating performance.

[0317] Therefore, as described above, when a heat pump system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, the vehicle interior can be cooled or heated by using a single in-vehicle heat exchanger 15 that selectively introduces high-temperature or low-temperature refrigerant, thereby reducing the number of system components.

[0318] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by employing a gas injection device 30 that selectively operates in at least one mode selected for the vehicle's interior air conditioning, the flow rate of the refrigerant can be increased, thereby improving the cooling and heating performance of the system and the vehicle.

[0319] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the system can be streamlined and simplified by using the gas injection device 30 to achieve optimal system performance while minimizing the number of components.

[0320] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by using a single cooler 20 (where the coolant and refrigerant exchange heat with each other), the temperature of the electronic components and battery module contained in the heating element 3 can be selectively and efficiently regulated in at least one mode, and the waste heat of the heating element 3 can be successfully recovered.

[0321] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by efficiently regulating the temperature of the battery module contained in the heating element 3, the optimal performance of the battery module can be achieved, and by efficiently managing the battery module, the overall driving range of the vehicle can be increased.

[0322] Furthermore, according to the present invention, by streamlining the entire system, manufacturing costs and weight can be reduced, and the space utilization of the vehicle can be improved.

[0323] Although the invention has been described above in conjunction with embodiments currently considered practical, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Rather, it is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent configurations contained within the spirit and scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heat pump system for a vehicle, the heat pump system comprising: The compressor is configured to compress the refrigerant; A control valve is connected to the compressor via a refrigerant line; A first heat exchanger is connected to the control valve via a refrigerant line and is configured to selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant; The first expansion valve is connected to the first heat exchanger via a refrigerant pipeline; The in-vehicle heat exchanger is connected to the first expansion valve and the control valve via refrigerant lines and is configured to selectively condense or evaporate the refrigerant. The second expansion valve is installed on the refrigerant pipeline between the first heat exchanger and the first expansion valve; The second heat exchanger is connected to the refrigerant lines connecting the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve, and to the refrigerant lines connecting the control valve and the compressor at the upstream end of the compressor. The connecting pipeline has its first end connected to the refrigerant pipeline upstream of the compressor, and its second end connected to the refrigerant pipeline between the first expansion valve and the second expansion valve. A cooler is provided on the connecting line and configured to regulate the temperature of the coolant by exchanging heat between the refrigerant introduced through the connecting line and the coolant. A third expansion valve is provided on the connecting pipeline at the upstream end of the cooler; as well as A gas injection device is disposed on the refrigerant line between the first expansion valve and the second heat exchanger, and is configured to selectively expand the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger and allow the expanded refrigerant to flow, or to allow the expanded refrigerant supplied from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via the first expansion valve to flow, and is configured to selectively supply a portion of the supplied refrigerant to the compressor to increase the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant line. The refrigerant flow rate is controlled based on at least one mode of the heat pump system used to regulate the interior temperature or the temperature of the heating element.

2. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The gas injection device includes: A gas-liquid separator is configured to separate a refrigerant into a gaseous refrigerant and a liquid refrigerant, and is configured to selectively discharge the gaseous refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant; The fourth expansion valve is installed on the refrigerant pipeline between the second heat exchanger and the second end of the connecting pipeline; A first pipeline has a first end connected to the fourth expansion valve and a second end connected to a refrigerant pipeline between the fourth expansion valve and the second end of the connecting pipeline, wherein the gas-liquid separator is disposed on the first pipeline; A second pipeline, with its first end connected to the gas-liquid separator and its second end connected to the compressor; and The third pipeline has its first end connected to the first expansion valve and its second end connected to the first pipeline between the fourth expansion valve and the gas-liquid separator.

3. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, When the vehicle interior is being cooled or heated, and the fourth expansion valve or the first expansion valve expands the refrigerant and supplies the expanded refrigerant, the gas-liquid separator operates and is configured to supply gaseous refrigerant from the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the second pipeline, thereby increasing the flow rate of refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant pipeline.

4. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, When the vehicle interior is heated, the third pipeline is opened by the first expansion valve to supply refrigerant from the in-vehicle heat exchanger to the gas-liquid separator.

5. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein, The at least one mode includes: First mode: The gas injection device operates to cool the interior of the vehicle; Second mode: The gas injection device operates to recover heat from the ambient air while heating the interior of the vehicle. Third mode: The gas injection device operates to recover waste heat from the heating element while simultaneously heating the vehicle interior; and Fourth mode: The gas injection device operates to recover ambient air heat and waste heat from the heating element while heating the vehicle interior.

6. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the first mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the fourth expansion valve is configured to be opened by the control valve and the second expansion valve; A portion of the second end of the refrigerant line connecting the fourth expansion valve and the first line is configured to be closed by the fourth expansion valve; A portion of the refrigerant line connects the second end of the first line to the first expansion valve, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the control valve, and is configured to be opened by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line that connects the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor is configured to be opened by the control valve; The first pipeline is configured to be opened by the fourth expansion valve; The second pipeline is configured to be open; The third pipeline is configured to be closed by the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the gas-liquid separator via the first line and the refrigerant line, and to supply the expanded refrigerant to the in-vehicle heat exchanger. The second expansion valve is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to flow to the second heat exchanger without expansion; The fourth expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, and to supply the expanded refrigerant to the gas-liquid separator via the first line; and The gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened second line, and to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the first expansion valve through the first line and the refrigerant line.

7. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein, The control valve is configured as follows: The refrigerant introduced from the compressor via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the first heat exchanger; and The refrigerant introduced from the vehicle interior heat exchanger via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

8. The heat pump system according to claim 6, wherein, When the heating element needs to be cooled in the first mode: The connecting pipeline is configured to be opened by the third expansion valve; and The third expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced via the connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler.

9. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the second mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve is configured to be opened by the control valve; A portion of the refrigerant line that connects the first expansion valve to a second end of the first line is configured to be closed by the first expansion valve. In the refrigerant line, a portion of the second end of the first line is connected to the fourth expansion valve, and is configured to be opened by the fourth expansion valve; The fourth expansion valve in the refrigerant line is connected to a portion of the second heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, the first heat exchanger, and the control valve, and is configured to be opened by the control valve and the second expansion valve; A portion of the refrigerant line that connects the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor is configured to be opened by the control valve; The connecting pipeline is configured to be closed by the third expansion valve; A portion of the first pipeline that connects the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third pipeline is configured to be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the third pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the first pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, are configured to be open; The second pipeline is configured to be open; The third pipeline is configured to be opened by the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, and to allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line. The second expansion valve is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion; The third expansion valve is configured to stop operating; The fourth expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator via the opened portion of the first pipeline and the refrigerant pipeline, and to supply the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipeline; and The gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened second line, and to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the fourth expansion valve through a portion of the first line and the refrigerant line.

10. The heat pump system according to claim 9, wherein, The control valve is configured as follows: The refrigerant introduced from the compressor via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger; and The refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

11. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the third mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve is configured to be opened by the control valve; A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the first expansion valve to a second end of the connecting line is configured to be closed by the first expansion valve. A portion of the refrigerant line in which the control valve is connected to a second end of the first line via the first heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, and the fourth expansion valve is configured to be closed by the control valve. A portion of the refrigerant line that connects the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor is configured to be closed by the control valve; A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the second end of the connecting line is configured to be open; The connecting pipeline is configured to be opened by the third expansion valve; A portion of the first pipeline that connects the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third pipeline is configured to be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the third pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the first pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, are configured to be open; The second pipeline is configured to be open; The third pipeline is configured to be opened by the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, and to allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line. The second expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve are configured to stop operating; The third expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced via the connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; and The gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened second pipeline, and to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the third expansion valve through a portion of the first pipeline, a portion of the refrigerant pipeline and the connecting pipeline.

12. The heat pump system according to claim 11, wherein, The control valve is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the compressor via a refrigerant line to flow along a refrigerant line connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger.

13. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, In the fourth mode: A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the compressor, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the first expansion valve is configured to be opened by the control valve; A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the first expansion valve to a second end of the connecting line is configured to be closed by the first expansion valve. In the refrigerant line, a portion of the second end of the first line is connected to the fourth expansion valve, and is configured to be opened by the fourth expansion valve; The fourth expansion valve in the refrigerant line is connected to a portion of the second heat exchanger, the second expansion valve, the first heat exchanger, and the control valve, and is configured to be opened by the control valve and the second expansion valve; A portion of the refrigerant line connecting the second end of the first line to the second end of the connecting line is configured to be open; A portion of the refrigerant line that connects the control valve to the upstream end of the compressor is opened by the control valve; The connecting pipeline is configured to be opened by the third expansion valve; A portion of the first pipeline that connects the fourth expansion valve to the second end of the third pipeline is configured to be closed by the fourth expansion valve. A portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the third pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, and the remaining portion of the first pipeline that connects the second end of the first pipeline to the gas-liquid separator, are configured to be open; The second pipeline is configured to be open; The third pipeline is configured to be opened by the first expansion valve; The first expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced from the in-vehicle heat exchanger via the refrigerant line, and to allow the expanded refrigerant to flow along the third line. The second expansion valve is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant line to flow to the first heat exchanger without expansion; The third expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant introduced via the connecting line and supply the expanded refrigerant to the cooler; The fourth expansion valve is configured to expand the refrigerant supplied from the gas-liquid separator via the open portion of the first pipeline and the refrigerant pipeline, and to supply the expanded refrigerant to the second heat exchanger via the refrigerant pipeline; and The gas-liquid separator is configured to supply the gaseous refrigerant in the supplied refrigerant to the compressor through the opened second pipeline, and to discharge the liquid refrigerant to the third expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve through a portion of the first pipeline, a portion of the refrigerant pipeline and the connecting pipeline.

14. The heat pump system according to claim 13, wherein, The control valve is configured as follows: The refrigerant introduced from the compressor via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the vehicle interior heat exchanger; and The refrigerant introduced from the first heat exchanger via the refrigerant line flows along the refrigerant line connected to the upstream end of the compressor.

15. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, The first heat exchanger is configured as follows: In the first mode, the supplied refrigerant is condensed; and The supplied refrigerant evaporates in the second and fourth modes.

16. The heat pump system according to claim 5, wherein, The in-vehicle heat exchanger is configured as follows: In the first mode, the supplied refrigerant evaporates; and The supplied refrigerant is condensed in the second, third, and fourth modes.

17. The heat pump system according to claim 2, wherein: The first expansion valve and the fourth expansion valve are three-way electronic expansion valves that operate selectively in at least one of the said modes and are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow rate of the supplied refrigerant. The second expansion valve and the third expansion valve are two-way electronic expansion valves that operate selectively in at least one of the said modes and are configured to selectively expand the refrigerant while controlling the flow rate of the supplied refrigerant.

18. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The first heat exchanger and the in-vehicle heat exchanger are configured to selectively condense or evaporate the introduced refrigerant in at least one of the at least said modes.

19. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein, The second heat exchanger is configured to allow refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger and the gas injection device to exchange heat with refrigerant introduced from at least one of the first heat exchanger, the in-vehicle heat exchanger, and the cooler.

20. The heat pump system according to claim 1, wherein: The cooler is connected to the heating element via a coolant pipeline that circulates coolant; and When it is necessary to cool the heating element, or when it is necessary to recover waste heat from the heating element, the coolant line is configured to open to connect the heating element and the cooler.

Images